Weathering the Heat When You Have Eczema

Eczema can be frustrating. A lot of the factors that make it worse are out of your control. That includes environmental factors. Heat and low humidity can both cause symptoms to flare. That’s not great news for people in the Lakewood area living with this skin issue.

We want to help. Kim Neyman, MD, and Nazanin Kalani Williams, MD, specialize in treating eczema. We tapped their expertise to develop this guide to weathering the heat even with this skin condition. 

Beyond that, we’re available here at Elevation Dermatology in Lakewood, Colorado. If these general tips don’t help you keep your symptoms under control, come see us. We can help you develop a personalized plan to keep your skin more comfortable this summer. 

For now, though, try implementing these tips for managing your eczema during the hottest part of the year. 

Minimize sweating 

We know this is easier said than done. But sweat can be a major factor in summertime eczema flare-ups. As sweat evaporates, it takes moisture on your skin with it. That means that once you’re done sweating, your skin is drier. With less of a moisture barrier to protect you, symptoms often get worse.

On top of that, sweat leaves potential irritants like sodium on the surface of your skin. 

To minimize sweat, seek shade when you’re outside. Wear loose, light-colored layers to keep the sun off your skin. And try to schedule your time outdoors for the cooler parts of the day. 

If you do sweat, shower as soon as you can afterward (don’t use hot water, which can further strip your skin of moisture). Apply moisturizer after the shower. 

Lean into personal cooling techniques

While sweat is definitely part of the problem, heat alone can trigger eczema symptoms. You can’t control the temperature outdoors or in public spaces, but you can bring tools to help manage it. 

You might find it helpful to carry a handheld folding or electric fan or a bottle to mist yourself with water. Or you might try a cooling towel. 

If you have a cold drink or access to an ice pack or anything else chilly, hold that against your pulse points. This can help to bring your internal temperature down.

The easiest pulse points to access are on the insides of your wrist, the sides of your neck, and the insides of your elbows. Each of those areas has an artery close to the surface of your skin. Applying something cold encourages the blood vessel to constrict, resulting in rapid relief from the heat. 

Be strategic about sunscreen

Sometimes, heat isn’t the direct problem behind eczema flare-ups. The way you’re dealing with the heat could be the culprit. 

Chemical sunscreens can irritate your skin, for example. Instead, choose ones made from minerals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sit on top of your skin, reflecting the sun’s harmful rays. Chemical sunscreens, by contrast, have to be absorbed by your skin to work.

These tips may help make summer more manageable. If you’re still dealing with flaring eczema symptoms, though, we’re here. Call our office today so we can create a personalized summertime treatment plan for you.